German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it was unclear it today's talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow will achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Credit: Soeren Stache/DPA/PA Images

Merkel stressed that a diplomatic solution was the only way to resolve the crisis, but said it was "unclear" if there will be further talks after today's meeting.

"It is totally open as to whether we will, with these talks, succeed in achieving a ceasefire, we don't know if that will be achieved today, if, perhaps further talks will be needed," Merkel said before departing for Moscow.

German chancellor Angela Merkel will reportedly withdraw her support for keeping Britain in the EU if David Cameron continues his drive to curb immigration into the UK.

Der Spiegel news magazine quoted sources within Mrs Merkel's office and German foreign ministry who said she feared Britain was approaching "the point of no return" unless Mr Cameron changed his strategy.

Angela Merkel is reported to have warned David Cameron not to tighten Britain's immigration controls to counter the rise of Ukip. Credit: Maurizio Gambarini/DPA/Press Association Images

Mrs Merkel, along with other EU leaders, firmly believes the measures the Prime Minister is planning, which are widely seen as aimed to counter the threat of Ukip, would undermine the principle of the free movement of labour.

According to The Sunday Times, Mr Cameron's awareness of German opposition has seen him ditch a proposal to impose quotas on low-skilled EU migrants but he will still bid to stretch the EU rules "to their limits".

German chancellor Angela Merkel said she was "ready to address British concerns" while Sweden's prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt added he would "walk the extra mile" to address the UK's concerns over the European Union.

Both Germany and Sweden backed Juncker for the job.

Reinfeldt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Just look into what we have written in our conclusions.

"You will find references with text, which I think is very important for David Cameron, saying this ever-closer union perception is maybe not the best for everyone."